Lipuite
Lipuite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula KNa₈Mn³⁺₅Mg₀.₅[Si₁₂O₃₀(OH)₄](PO₄)O₂(OH)₂·4H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 2.83; Red streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lp, IMA status: approved, named in 2014.
Found in high-grade Wessels-type Mn ore, mainly hausmannite, bixbyite, braunite-II, and manganite, formed by structurally controlled hydrothermal enrichment of low-grade strataform beds.
It is found associated with Mn-bearing sugilite, taniajacoite, pectolite, richterite, norrishite, namansilite.
The mineral was named to honor Chinese geochemist and petrologist, Professor Pu Li (1911-1968), Beijing Institute of Geology and later at the Guiyang Institute of Geochemistry.